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The National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Enterprise Mission Assurance
Support Service (eMASS) is scheduled to be operational on May 6, 2019.
Industry partners should continue to use the ODAA Business Management System
(OBMS) until then. Work with your local Information Systems Security
Professional and/or ISSP Team Lead to complete the required training to
ensure readiness for the transition.

The Defense Security Service (DSS) is responsible for projecting Personnel
Security Investigations (PSI) requirements each year. The data collection
for PSI projection requirements will be conducted March 11 through April 5,
2019, through the National Industrial Security System (NISS) Submission
Site. Annual projections acquired from Industry through this collection are
the key component in DoD program planning and budgeting for NISP security
clearances.

In preparation for this upcoming data collection, our Industry partners are
highly encouraged to register for their NISS accounts before March 11, in
order to participate in the survey. Registration instructions are found on
the NISS website under the Registration section
(https://www.dss.mil/is/niss/).

The DSS NISP Authorization Office (NAO) has postponed the eMASS transition until May 6, 2019. Cleared industry partners should continue to work with their ISSPs and Team Leads to complete the required eMASS training and request a NISP eMASS account to ensure readiness for the transition. Job aids are posted on the NISP eMASS Information and Resource Center.

With the postponement of the eMASS transition, the DSS Assessment and Authorization Process Manual (DAAPM) Version 2.0 will be delayed. The revised release date is April 8, 2019, with an effective date of May 6, 2019.

Industry partners should continue to submit all System Security Plans (SSP) and supporting artifacts via the ODAA Business Management System (OBMS).

ISL 2019-01 replaces the September 2018 notice on Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 posted to the DSS web site. The ISL provides additional guidance to industry on the implementation of SEAD 4 Adjudicative Guidelines related to the disposition of foreign passports belonging to cleared employees that have been previously retained by contractors in accordance with DoD directions and the former Adjudicative Guidelines. Click here to view ISL.

In early June 2018, the Director of National Intelligence, in his capacity as the Security Executive Agent, and the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, in his capacity as the Suitability & Credentialing Executive Agent (Executive Agents), jointly issued a memorandum directing the
implementation of interim measures intended to mitigate the existing backlog of personnel security investigations at the National Background
Investigations Bureau (NBIB). These measures include the deferment of reinvestigations when screening results are favorable and mitigation
activities are in place, as directed.

In accordance with the guidance and direction received from the Executive Agents, Defense Security Service (DSS) will adopt procedures to defer the
submission of Tier 3 Reinvestigations (T3Rs) and Tier 5 Reinvestigations (T5Rs) for entities cleared under the National Industrial Security Program.
Facility Security Officers should continue to submit completed Standard Form 86 and the reinvestigation request, six years from the date of last
investigation for the T5Rs and 10 years from the date of the last reinvestigation for the T3Rs. New reinvestigation requests will be screened
by DSS using a risk management approach that permits deferment of reinvestigations according to policy. If the determination is made to defer
reinvestigations, individuals will be immediately enrolled into the DoD Continuous Evaluation (CE)/Continuous Vetting (CV) capabilities, as
required.

The Executive Agents have directed all Federal departments and agencies to reciprocally accept the prior favorable adjudication for deferred
reinvestigations that are out of scope (overdue). Existing eligibility remains valid until the individual is removed from CE, no longer has any DoD
affiliation, or has their eligibility revoked or suspended.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence signed a memorandum on December 7, 2016, reminding DoD Components that personnel
security clearances do not expire. Individuals with current eligibility in the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS), or its successor, should not
be denied access based on an out-of-scope investigation. That memorandum is provided here for ease of reference. If you encounter any challenges with
this process, please email dss.ncr.dss-dvd.mbx.askvroc@mail.mil for assistance.

These procedures will remain in effect until further notice.

More information is available in the linked frequently asked questions.

The DSS Knowledge Center is operating under normal hours and is not affected by the partial government shutdown. We look forward to assisting you with your e-QIP pin resets/lockouts and Personnel Security inquiries. Please call the Knowledge Center at 1-888-282-7682, Option #2, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.

Beginning February 1, 2019, DSS may reject investigation submissions that don't include the prime contract number, as shown on the associated industry guidance.The prime contract number is a required field in the Joint Personnel Adjudication System for personnel security clearance investigations. Please contact the VROC Knowledge Center for questions (888) 282-7682, select option #2.

As noted before the DSS.mil website underwent a major overhaul. We're excited about the new site, but with change comes growing pains. We are aware that the Search engine is returning 404 errors, and we ask for your patience as we work through the issue. In the meantime, we hope you'll explore the site, update your bookmarks and accept our apologies for any inconveniences this may cause.